Recording apparatus



July 6, 1937.

Filed Aug. 6, 1955 FIQJ.

6 Sheets-Sheet l July 6, 1937. c, MCMULLEN 2,086,363

RECORDING APPARATUS Filed Aug. 6, 1935 6 Sheets-Sheet 2 llllllllllllll 415 i a v g 5? I T\ LJ //V VE/V TOE.

July 6, 1937. c. 1. M MULLEN I RECORDING APPARATUS Filed Aug. 6, 1955 6Sheets-Sheet C:

E em 0M m4 M WU m C C. L. M MULLEN RECORDING APPARATUS July 6, 1937.

Filed Aug. 6, 1935 6 Sheets-Sheet 4 July 6, 1937. c. L. M MULLEN2,086,363

RECORDING APPARATUS Filed Aug. 6, 1935 6 Sheets-Sheet 5 190- 1m Z05 Z2//VV/V7 0/Q.'

. OmL-ro/v L/VcMl/LLEN, FIG. X 1 Z6 Z5 5r July 6, 1937. -c. MCMULLENRECORDING APPARATUS Filed Aug. 6, 1935 e SheetsSheet e Fla K.

//VV/V TOP:

C/YRLTON L. Mc/VI/LLEA;

Fatented July 6, 1937 tiiii'ih STATES PATENT FFICE Claims.

This invention is particularly applicable to apparatus including a meterthrough which gasolene or other fluid is forced, by a pump or othersuitable means, to and through a flexible dispensit hose. Said meter isoperatively connected with registering mechanism indicating the volumeof fluid dispensed. In gasolene dispenshig apparatus such indication isconveniently in gallons and fractions of a gallon, but in gas apparatusis preferably in cubic feet.

It is the object and effect of my invention to prevent the user of suchapparatus from cheating either the owner of the fluid dispensed or thecustomer who buys it. To that end, I provide means for identifying eachindividual dispensing operation with an individual serial number andprovide means to not only make a record of each such operation, and thevolume of fluid dispensed thereby, for the owner of the fluid, but alsoduplicate that record upon a receipt for delivery to the customer; eachsuch record and receipt having imprinted thereon not only theindividualserial number of the instant transaction but also the serial number ofthe immediately preceding dispensing transaction, to preventanydispensing operation without a record thereof in its consecutive order.Such record of each sales transaction is begun by imprintingsimultaneously upon the owners record and the customers receipt theserial number of the preceding sale; that imprint being made before theinitiation of the instant dispensing operation; it being impossible toimprint the serial number for the instant sale record until thedispensing operation is actually begun.

In Letters Patent of the United States No. 1,922,056 granted August 15,1933, and No. 1,967,- 677 granted July 24, 1934, I disclosed recordingmechanism especially designed for application to fuel oil trucks;essential features of the devices therein disclosedbeing that therecording mechanism is under control of the gear shift lever of thetruck and includes a pair of meshed gears one of which is segmental soas to disengage itself in one position of its movement and therebyrender the recording mechanism inoperative until said gear is moved fromthat position. In the present invention, the recording mechanism iscontinually operative, and may be operated at any time by manipulationof a hand lever which controls a spring pressed platen to permit thelatter to come into cooperative relation with register type wheelsindicating the volume of fluid dispensed and a serial number. However,the serial numbering device is so. constructed and arranged that itstype wheels may be advanced but one digit at each dispensing operation;detent means being provided capable of rendering said numbering deviceinoperative until released, by means connecting a driven element of themeter with said detent, only upon initiation of each successiveoperation of the meter. Such construction and arrangement prevent theoperator from dispensing any liquid without setting up a serial numberfor that transaction and prevent the operator from setting up more thanone serial number for each dispensing transaction, but permit a recordto be made at any time of the position of the volume register and theserial number set up; thus preventing felonious manipulation of theregistering and recording mechanism possible with some devices of theprior art. 1,

My present invention is applicable not only to fluid dispensing trucksbut to stationary dispensing apparatus, and particularly to what areknown as curbstands for dispensing gasolene to automobiles; There aremany types of such dispensing apparatus on the market including metersof difierent forms and a further object of my invention is to include inconjunction with the registering and recording mechanism abovecontemplated an adapter for connecting such mechanism with any form ofmeter, to be controlled by the latter as above contemplated. The purposeand effect of such an adapter is to connect the registering mechanism ofmy invention with a driven element of any fluid meter to register thevolume of fluid passed through such meter at each dispensing operation.Moreover, I include what I term change gears for varying the ratiobetween the movement of the driven element of the meter and theregistering and indicating mechanism.

My invention includes the various novel features of construction andarrangement herein after more definitely specified. i

In said drawings, Fig. I is a perspective view of a structure embodyingmy invention and including manually operative printing recordingmechanism, meter register mechanism for operative connection with ameter, and an adapter for supporting both of said mechanisms inconnection with the meter.

Fig. II is a partial elevation of the right hand side of the structureshown in Fig. I, the casing for the upper printing recording mechanismbeing sectioned to show that mechanism.

Fig. III is a vertical sectional view of the registering and recordingstructure shown in Fig. I,

taken on the axis of said structure, (but with a different form ofsupporting adapter at the bottom thereof,) showing the serial numberingdetent devices in their normal position, detaining the numberingmechanism from advancing.

Fig. IV is a plan view of the manually operative recording mechanismindicated in the upper portion of Fig. III.

Fig. V is an elevation of said recording mechanism as seen'from the rearof Fig. III and the upper end of Fig. IV.

Fig. VI is an elevation of said serial numbering detent devicesindicated in Fig. III, but in released position.

Fig. VII is an elevation of said serial numbering detent devicesindicated in Figs. III and VI but in an intermediate position.

VIII is an elevation of parts of the recording mechanism, as indicatedin Fig. V, but in the position corresponding with the position of thedetent mechanism shown in Fig. VI.

Fig. IX is a plan view of a receipt packet adapted to be used with saidrecording mechanism shown in Figs. III, IV, and V; which comprises threesheets to be impressed with the record imprint and having two sheets ofcarbon transfer paper interposed upon opposite sides of the centralsheet; said packet being shown upside down with reference to theposition in which it is introduced to the recording mechanism as shownin Figs. III and V.

Fig. X is an edge view of the packet shown in Fig. IX, with the sheetsspread apart to indicate their relative position.

Fig. XI is a plan view of the meter register mechanism indicated beneaththe recbrding mechanism in Fig. III.

Fig. XII is a front elevation of the register mechanism as seen from theleft hand side of Fig. XI.

Referring to Fig. I, the adapter I serves to support the entirestructure shown in said figure and is conveniently a casting having acircular series of holes 2 for screwelements to rigidly connect it withthe top of a casing 3', for a fluid meter, which latter may be of anysuitable form. The meter register casing 4 is rigidly connected withsaid adapter conveniently by the tap bolts 5 and has the window 6 at thefront thereof for display of registering mechanism comprising decimallynumbered wheels 'I by which the total number of gallons of liquiddispensed is manifested. Such display is normally prevented by theshutter 8, when it overhangs said window 6 as shown in Fig. III, butsaid shutter may be raised by turning the key 9 to uncover said window 6and thus permit such display. The window displays the decimally numberedwheels i2 for indicating the volume of liquid dispensed at a singletransaction, said wheels !2 being adapted to be reset to the zeroposition shown in Fig. I by manual rotation of the knob 13, clockwise.

The casing l5 for the recording printing mechanism is supported by saidmeter register casing as shown in Fig. III; said casings being normallyrigidly connected by four screws i=3 two of which are indicated in Fig.I and the other twoin Fig. III. Said casing 15 has the door H whichgravitates to the closed position shown in Figs. I and III whenever itis released, but may be manually uplifted to the position shown in fulllines in Fig. II and in dash lines in Fig. III by means of theprojecting handle lug l3, to permit the insertion through the throat I9of the packet 2i such as indicated in Figs. IX and X. The

projecting end of said packet is shown at the left hand side of Fig. IIIand the right hand side of Fig. V. Said packet 2| includes three sheets23, 24, and 25 to be impressed with the record imprint and having twosheets of carbon transfer paper 26 and 2? respectively interposed uponopposite sides of the central sheet 2 Said sheet 23 is intended to beused as a receipt to be given to the customer, and said sheets 24 and2'5 are duplicates which are intended for the records of the owner ofthe fluid dispensed.

The sheets 23, 2 3, and 25 of said packet 21 are conveniently imprintedas shown in Fig. IX with lines 29, SB, and 3i upon which the operatormay respectively write the date of the transaction, the name of thecustomer, and the address of the latter. Each of said three sheets isalso imprinted with a circular figure 32 representing a seal which, whenthe packet is in proper position in the recording mechanism, is punchedat its axis by a pin 33 indicated in Figs. III and IV which is thrustthrough the packet to hold the latter in proper relation with threcording mechanism until the transaction is completed and it is desiredto withdraw the packet from the printing mechanism. Each of said sheetsof the packet is also conveniently printed with the box 35 indicated inFig. IX containing five index pointers respectively indicated at 36, 37,38, 39, and 40. The index pointers 36 and 3? respectively point to theserial numbers of the previous sale and the instant sale. The indexpointers 38 and 39 respectively point to imprints respectively showingthe number of gallons recorded at the beginning of the instanttransaction as having been previously dispensed and to the number ofgallons recorded at the finish of the instant dispensing operation. Theindex pointer 49 points to an entry written by the operator indicatingthe number of gallons delivered at the instant transaction.

Referring to Fig. III, the adapter 4| is conveniently rigidly connectedwith a subjacent meter through which fluid is dispensed, by screwsextending through openings 52 in the horizontal web 43 of said adapter.The shaft 45 is operatively connected with that meter so as to be turnedin the direction of the arrow shown thereon in III whenever the met-eris operated to pass fluid therethrough. Said shaft is convenientlyjournaled in the bearing at and stuffing box 4'! in said adapter. Saidshaft carries the coupling member as engaged with the coupling member 49on the shaft 5i? which is journaled in the bearing Si in the frame 52.Said frame 52 is rigidly connected with said adapter, conveniently byscrews 53. Said shaft 53 carries the gear 55 which is in mesh with thegear 56 which turns freely on the shaft 51' which is radially adjustablein the slot '58 of the arm 53 in which it may be adjustably rigidlysecured by the nut 69. Said arm 59 is split at Si so that it may beclamped by the screw 62 in adjusted position on said bearing 5! of theframe so that said gear 56 engages the gear 63 which is rigidlyconnected with the shaft 5 1. shaft d is journaled in the bearings 65and on said frame 52 Said shaft Ed rigidly connected therewith. themiter gear 58 engaging the miter gear 63 on the horizontal shaft 3Bwhich is journaled in the bearing ii on said frame 52. The arrangementis such that said shaft 35 one revolution for each gallon of fluiddispensed through the meter which actuates it and turns said shaft 7i]one revolution for each gallon. Said shaft "III carries the miter gearI3 engaging the miter gear 14 which is rigidly connected with the shaft75 journaled in the bearings I6 and I! on said frame 52.

Said shaft I5 is the driving shaft for the registering mechanismincluding said numbered wheels I2 displayed through the window I I inFig. I. Said shaft has rigidly connected therewith the gear 79 whichmeshes with the gear on the shaft 8|, the latter being shown in Figs.III and XI. Said shaft is journaled in the bearings I6 and TI so that itmay be turned by hand to set the registering mechanism displayed throughthe window II in Fig. I back to zero position at the end of eachdispensing operation, but said shaft BI is normally held stationary bythe single toothed ratchet Wheel 32 which is rigidly connected therewithand normally engaged by the detent pawl lever 83 pivoted on thestationary stud shaft 84 projecting from said bearing I5. Said lever 83is normally held in engaged position as shown in Figs. III and by thespring 85 connecting its right hand end with the stationary stud 86projecting from said bearing 53.

Said register wheels I2, indicating gallons dispensed, are mounted uponthe shaft SI to turn independently of said shaft, as hereinafterdescribed. The register wheel I2, displayed at the right hand end of thewindow II in Fig. I, is rigidly connected with said gear 80 by thesleeve 88, shown in Fig. XII, and has the numbers 1 to 9 and 0 thereon,conveniently in red, each representing a tenth of a gallon. Said wheelI2 carries at the left hand side thereof in Figs. I and XII, two gearteeth 89 which a:e adapted to successively engage the eight teeth on thegear 90 indicated in Figs. III and XI, on the shaft SI shown in Fig.III. The teeth of said gear 90 are continually in mesh with the gear 93indicated'in Fig. I and shown in Fig. XI. Every other tooth 90' on saidgear 90 is extended so that what is the lower end of said gear in Fig.XI presents but four teeth, in registry with the cylindrical edge I2" onsaid wheel I2, so that said wheel I2 is prevented from turning byengagement of two of the four teeth 96 upon said cylindrical edge of thewheel I2 except whe. the latter presents its two teeth to turn the gear90. Each of said wheels I2 is numbered like the wheel I2 butconveniently in black, and each digit thereon represents one gallon. Theconstruction and arrangement are such that when said shaft 45 is turnedone revolution, said numbered wheel I2 is turned one revolution and thetwo teeth carried by the latter operate to advance the adjoiningnumbered wheel I2 one digit, thus indicating that one gallon of fiuidhas been dispensed by the instant operation. The other three numberedwheels I2 in said series are similarly connected by the gears 98 and 93so that the total number of gallons dispensed during the instantoperation is manifested by the numbers on said wheels displayed at saidwindow II in Fig. I.

Said gear 19 on the shaft I5 is also in mesh with the gear 95 which isloosely jcurnaled on the shaft 96 which is stationary in said bearings16 and I1. Said gear 95 carries two teeth for engagement with fouraxially long teeth on the gear 9'! also loosely jcurnal d on the shaft96. Said long teeth of gear 9'! register with the cylindrical edge 95 onsaid gear 5 to prevent turning of gear 9'1 except when said gear 95presents its two teeth to turn the gear 9?. Said gear 91 has eight teethat its upper end in Fig. XI for engagement with the gear 98 on thedecimally numbered wheel I so that said wheel I is advanced one digitfor each revolution of said wheel I2 to register one gallon of liquiddispensed. Said wheel I which is the lowermost of the series of six inFig. XI, is the unit wheel and is connected, by gears like the gear 91,with the other wheels I which respectively represent tens, hundreds,thousands, tens of thousands, and hundreds of thousands of gallonsdispensed, and that series of decimally numbered wheels 'I registers thetotal number of gallons dispensed, aggregate of thef successiveindividual transactions registered by the wheels I2 and I2 aforesaid.

Said shaft SI is conveniently provided with the cross pin SI as shown inFigs. III, XI, and XII, for engagement by clockwise rotation of the knobI3 shown in Fig. I, by which the wheels I2 and I2 are set back to theirzero position after each individual dispensing operation. Such rotationof the knob I3 lifts the detent pawl lever 33 from the single toothrecess in the ratchet wheel 82; thus permitting said shaft BI to bemanually rotated the number of turns necessary to effect the restorationto their initial zero position of the five register wheels I2 and I2which are journaled thereon. However, such movement does not move thetotal registering wheels I, then held stationary by the meter.

As shown in Figs. III and XI, said shaft 64, which makes one revolutionfor each gallon dispensed, has fixed on its upper end the clutch membermember IQI on the shaft I02 of the recording printing mechanism; whichshaft IE2 is journaled in the bearing I53 on the frame Iii-I of saidrecording mechanism. Said shaft Hi2 has fixed upon its upper end themiter gear I05 engaging the miter gear I06 on the horizontal tubularshaft I3! which is mounted to turn freely on the shaft I08 of the serialnumbering mechanism hereinafter described, so that said shaft I 37 turnsone revolution for each gallon dispensed. Said gear I65 carries the gearI09, indicated in Fig. IV, which meshes with the gear III) which isfixed on the shaft I I I which is journaled in the opposite side platesH2 and H3 of said frame ISA. Said gear I ID has eight teeth forengagement with the gear H4 which is rigidly connected with the printingtype wheel I I5. Said wheel I I5 is the first of a series of fivedecimally numbered type wheels, loosely mounted on the stationary shaftIIS which is fixed in said side members H2 and I I3 of the frame I04,and its type indicate tenths of a gallon, for recording the number ofgallons and. tenths of a gallon previously dispensed, by making animprint upon the packet 2! in the space indicated by the arrow 38 inFig. IX, and for recording the number of gallons and tenths of a gallondispensed, at the end of the instant sales transaction, in the space onthe packet 2.! indicated by the arrow 39 in Fig. IX, as hereinafterdescribed.

Said printing type wheel I I5 carries upon the side thereof axiallyopposite to its gear IM, two teeth for engagement with the four axiallylong teeth on the gear wheel I I? which is like said gear 9'? shown inFig. XI. Said gear III is loosely journaled on said shaft II I and saidfour teeth engage the cylindrical edge of the printing type wheel M5 toprevent turning of said gear II! except when engaged by the two teethcarried by said wheel H5. Said gear II? has eight teeth at its upper endin Fig. IV for engagement with the gear II9 on the decimally numberedIDS for engagement with the clutch wheel H5 next to the wheel H5; sothat said Wheel H5 is advanced one digit for each revolution of saidwheel H5 to register one gallon of liquid dispensed. That unit-wheel H5is connected by gears like the gear II1 with the other wheels I I 5which respectively represent tens, hundreds, and thousands of gallonsdispensed during the instant transaction.

As shown in Fig. III, said shaft I98 has rigidly connected therewith thetwo ratchet Wheels IZI and Said wheel I2I cooperates with the pawl I tonormally hold said shaft I98 stationary; said pawl being fulcrumed onthe screw stud I in the side member H2 of said frame I99 and providedwith the spring I28 continually stressing said pawl I 29 into engagementwith said ratchet wheel I2I. fhe ratchet wheel I22 has ten teeth and isturned one tenth of a revolution each time it is desired to advance theserial number one digit from the number to which the pointer 96 pointsin Fig. IX to the number to which the pointer 3? points in said figure.Such advancement of the serial number is effected by the pawl I28 whichis pressed into engagement with said wheel I 22 by the spring IE9 and isfulcrumed on the pin I29 in the cam lever I 39. Said lever I38 isfulcrumed on the shaft I I6 which is held stationary in said sidemembers H2 and III? of the frame III-I. Said lever I39 is continuallystressed upwardly by the spring I32 extending from it to the screw studI34 on said frame plate H2, as shown in Fig. III. Said lever I39 is incooperative relation with the cam I36 which is rigidly mounted on theshaft I3? provided with the manually operative crank handle I38 shown inFig. I which is used to operate said lever I39 only after the start ofthe instant dispensing operation; said lever I39 being inoperative toadvance the serial number except when released by the initial rotarymovement of the shaft 45 at the beginning of each dispensing operation,as hereinafter described.

Said shaft I98 has rigidly connected therewith the gear I49 which, asshown in Fig. IV, is in mesh with the eight toothed gear I II which isloosely journaled on the shaft III and engaged with the gear Hid whichis loosely journaled on said shaft H8. Said gear M4 carries thedecimally numbered type wheel I45 which is the unit wheel of a series ofthree serial number printing wheels, the other two being marked IE5 inIV. Said wheel I45 carries at the upper side thereof in Fig. IV two gearteeth I99 which are adapted to successively engage the eight teeth onthe gear I51 which is loosely journaled on said shaft IIIand in meshwith the gear I 38 on the type wheel I65 adjoining the wheel I 45. Everyother tooth on said gear I4? is axially extended so that what is thelower end of said gear in Fig. IV presents but four teeth in registrywith the cylindrical edge I45 on said wheel I 95, so that said wheel I25is prevented from turning by engagement of two of the four long .eethupon said cylindrical edge except when the wheel I95 presents its twoteeth to turn said gear I I'I. Said wheel I45 is connected with theother wheel I55 shown in Fig. IV by a gear like the gear I I'I looselymounted on said shaft III so that whenever said shaft I98 shown in Fig.III is turned to the extent of one tooth of said ratchet wheel I22, bythe operation of the cam lever I39, the serial number presented by thegroup of three wheels I45, I45 and E 35 shown in Fig. IV is advanced onedigit.

However, in the position shown in Fig. II, said lever I39 is preventedfrom rising to its upper limit under stress of said spring I32 by thegear sector I59, shown in Fig. III, which is pivoted on the pin I5I atthe lower end of said lever I39 and stressed upwardly by the spring I52connecting said sector with the stud I53 on said lever I39; so that saidsector is in mesh with the gear on the shaft I I I. Said shaft I I I isjournaled in the opposite plates H2 and H3 of the frame I99 and has atits end shown in Fig. V, which is opposite to that shown in Fig. III,the ratchet wheel I56 by which said shaft III is turned, to insure thealinement of the printing faces on the number wheels H5, H5 in properprinting position. Such tiu'ning movement is effected by the evolute camI53 which is rigidly connected with said shaft I 37, as shown in Fig. V.Said cam I58 operates upon the upper arm of the lever shown in Fig. Vwhich is loosely journaled on said shaft I 98 between the side plate H3and the collar I99 fixed on said shaft I98. Said lever I carries on itspin ISI the pawl I82 for engagement with the four teeth on said ratchetwheel I59. The movement of said pawl is limled by the pin I63 carried bysaid lever I59 which extends in the slot I64 in said pawl. Said leverI59 and its pawl I62 are normally upheld in cooperative relation withsaid cam I58 by the sprin I55 extending from said lever I59 to the studI85 on said frame plate H3.

Said side members H2 and H3 of the frame I9? support two rods I68 andI69, as indicated in Fig. IV. Said rods support the packet carriage I29which contains said throat I9 through which the packet 2| is inserted asindicated in Figs. II and III. Said carriage may be reciprocated to andfrom the extreme positions shown respectively in Figs. II and III, suchmovement being limited by slots I1I in said carriage I10 through whichsaid rods I68 and I69 extend. Such movement shifts the packet 2| toalternately imprint it in alinement with the index pointers 39 and 39shown in Fig. IX, and is effected by rotation of the crank shaft I31provided with said crank handle I38.

To alternately detain said carriage in its two printing positions, Iprovide its side flange I13 with two notches I14 which alternatelyreceive the detent stud I15 which extends through the vertical guideslot I19 in the frame plate II2. Said stud is carried by the link I18hanging from the pivot I19 on the detent lever I89 which is fulcrumed onthe bolt I8I fixed on said plate H2. The spring I82 extending from thescrew I83 on said frame plate H2 to said lever I80 continually holds itin cooperative relation with the cam I84 fixed on said shaft I31, bywhich said detent I15 is raised and lowered with respect to said notchesI14.

Said shaft I31 has, rigidily connected therewith, oppositely counterpartcams I86 which engage in openings I81 in rocker frame members I8 3 I99,shown in Fig. IV, which are levers fulcrumed on the shaft I99 which isjournaled in said side plates I I2 and I I3 of the frame Iii 'i. Therock shaft I9I is journaled in the free ends of said rocker members I88and I89 and carries thrust arms I92 and I93 having respective cranks I92and I93 overhanging the similar cam inclines I95 on said carriage I19,as indicated in Figs. II and III. Said crank I92 is connected by thespring I99 with the stud I91 on said frame I99 so as to continuallystress said crank arms toward the vertical position shown in Fig. IIwhen they are released. In that position said crank arms overhang theleft hand slopes of the inclines I95 so that upon rotation of said crankhandle I38 and cams I86 clockwise, said arms I92 and I93 are forcedoutwardly by traverse down said slopes to thrust the carriage from theposition shown in Fig. II to the position shown in Fig. III. Furtherturning movement of said handle I38 lifts said rocker members I88 andI89, releasing said thrust arms from said inclines I55 permitting themto be swung by their spring I95 back to vertical position; so thatfurther turning movement of said handle I38 causes the cranks I92, I93on said thrust arms to slide down the right hand slope of said inclinesI95 and thrust said carriage I'IEI to the right to the initial positionshown in Fig. II.

Said carriage I70 has at the left hand end thereof in Figs. II and IIIthe stationary shaft I 99 which is the fulcrum for the punch frame 208by which the punch pin 33 is alternately lifted clear of the packet 2iand thrust through said packet; such movement being effected by saidrock shaft I9I alternately engaging the bifurcations 292 and 203 on saidframe 255, which extend respectively above and below said shaft, asshown in Figs. II and III.

Said carriage III) has the packet supporting web I'IO overhanging saidstationary shaft H6 and has the guide plate 254 conveniently secured tothe carriage by the screws 255 shown in Fig. IV to guide the inner endof said packet 2| into proper position with respect to said carriage;the left hand edge of said plate 204 shown in Fig. IV being upturned toinsure that the inner end of the packet shall pass beneath it from thethroat I9.

Said shaft I 90 is rigidly connected with the arm 20'! shown at theupper portion of Fig. IV, which carries the roller 258 in cooperativerelation with said evolute cam I58 on said shaft I31 and said arm 25'!is connected by the spring 209 with the stud 2H] on the side plate I I3of said frame I04 so that as said shaft I3! is turned, said arm isalternately thrust clockwise by its roller 208 engaging said cam I58,and released as the crest I58 of said cam passes beneath said roller.Said shaft I90 is also rigidly connected with the cross head 2II which,as shown in Fig. IV, overhangs the supporting arms 2I2 of the platen2I3, which arms are journaled on said shaft I90. Said platen isconnected with the arm 2II of said cross head by the spring 2M so thatsaid platen is lifted by that spring when said cross head 2II isuplifted by the cam I58, but when said cross head is released by thecrest I58 of said cam passing clockwise beneath said roller 258, saidcross head is snapped counterclockwise downward until it is stopped byits arm 2I I encountering the upper surface of said shaft I3'I; with theeffect that said platen, knocked down by the cross head, stretches itsspring 2I4 and strikes a hammer blow upon the packet 2I causing thelatter to be imprinted by the number type wheels beneath it, but saidplaten is thereafter instantly uplifted to the position shown in Fig. Vby the tension of said spring 2| 4.

It may be observed that the complete gear I54, shown in Figs. VI andVII, as part of the detent mechanism by which advance of the serialnumbering device is prevented when the incomplete gear I50 is in meshwith said gear I54, is operatively connected with the drivable element45, shown at the bottom of Fig. III, so so to be continuously turnedwhen that element 45 is turned by the passage of liquid dispensedthrough the meter in the casing 3 shown in Fig. I. The connecting meansbetween said element I5 and the gear 555 include the shaft I52 indicatedin the middle of Fig. III, the bevel gears I85 and IE5 there indicated,the spur gear carried by said bevel gear I56, as indicated in Fig. IV,and lo sely journaled therewith on the shaft I55, and the spur gear IIII which is in mesh with said fixed on the shaft III upon whichcomplete gear I55 is fixed. Therefore, said 3- is held stationary by itsconnection with r when there is no liquid being dispensed e latter. Thespring I52 which is pivted at its respectively opposite ends with saidsectoral gear I55 and the actuating lever I35 as shown in Figs. VI andVII, extends transverseiy to the pivot I5! on said lever I39 carryingsectoral gear I55, and affords snap movement of said sectoral gear inalternately cpposite directions, with reference to said lever I38, andtoward and away from said complete gear I54, in accordance with therelation of said spring to said gear pivot I5I; the extreme positions ofsaid sectoral gear I55 being indicated respectively in Figs. VI and VII.Said incomplete gear I55 is snapped by said spring I52 from the positionshown in Fig. VI to the position shown in Fig. VII when the manuallyactuated cam I35 is turned from the position shown in Fig. VI to thatshown in Fig. VII, forcing the left hand side of said incomplete gearI58 against the abutment stud 228, shown in Figs. II, VI, and VII, whichis fixed on the frame H2, as shown in Fig. II. Said gear I5!) is snappedby said spring I52 from the position shown in Fig. VII to the positionshown in Fig. VI, when the manually acuated cam I35 is upturned to theposition shown in Fig. VI and the sectoral gear I55 is released fromengagement with the gear I54 by rotation of the latter in the directionof the arrow shown in Fig. VI, at the initiation of a dispensing0peration of the meter.

The mechanism above described is operated as follows: The dispensingapparatus being idle and the meter registering and printing recordingmechanism being in the initial position shown in Fig. I, the operatoruplifts the door II from the position shown in Fig. I to the positionshown in Fig. II and inserts a blank packet 2i through the throat III asindicated in the latter figure, until the right hand end of the packet2! extending beneath the guide plate 255 is stopped against the righthand end of the carriage I75, as indicated in Fig. III. Thereupon, theoperator drops the door I! from the position shown in Fig. II to theclosed position shown in Figs. I and III. Thereupon, the operator turnsthe crank handle I38 clockwise from the position shown in Figs. I and IIto the position shown in Fig. III and thereby shifts said carriage I'Iilto the left in the latter figure and causes the punch 33 to move fromthe position shown in Fig. II to that shown in Fig. III and therebyimpale the packet 2! in stationary position with respect to saidcarriage I 75. That punching operation is effected before the handle I35has made a quarter of a revolution. The operator continues to turn saidhandle I38 and just before it reaches the vertical position the crestI58 of the evolute cam I58 by which the cross head 2!! and platen 2I3have been upheld in the position shown in Fig. II passes the roller 20Sand permits the cross head to drop and strike down the platen to impress.said packet 2I upon the type wheels beneath it and imprint on saidpacket the Previous sale No. indicated by the pointer 56 in Fig. IX andthe Gallon readingStart indicated by the pointer 38 in IX. As abovenoted, the arm 2| I of the cross head encounters the upper surface ofsaid shaft IS'I in its downward movement so that the platen stretchesits spring 2H3 to strike the hammer blow upon the packet 2|, and saidplaten is thereupon instantly uplifted to the position shown in Fig. Vby the tension of said spring 2M. The operator having turned said handleone complete revolution, starts the dispensing mechanism in operationand the initial movement of the shaft shown in Fig. III turns the gearI54 counterclockwise by its shaft III to release the gear sector 251)from the position shown in Fig. III to the position shown in Fig. VI,thereby permitting the spring to uplift the cam lever I39 to theposition shown in Fig. VI and thereby cause the pawl 528 to engage thenext tooth on the ratchet wheel as shown in Fig. VI. When the dispensingoperation is completed, the operator turns said handle I38 anotherrevolution. That operation first causes the cam I36 to thrust the camlever E35 downward from the position shown in Fig. VI to the positionshown in Fig. VII, thereby turning said ratchet wheel I22 and its shafti323 to the extent of one tooth from the position shown in Fig. VI tothe position shown in Fig. VII, thus advancing the serial numberprinting mechanism the extent of one digit. Turning movement of saidcrank handle I38 next shifts the carriage I'III from the position shownin Fig. III (in which the first impression was made by the platen asabove noted), to the position shown in Fig. II, and next causes theplaten to strike a second impression upon the packet 2| to imprint Yoursale No. indicated by the pointer 31 in Fig. IX and Gallon readingFinishindicated in that figure. Turning movement of said handle I38 from theposition shown in Fig. III to the position shown in Fig. II, (tocomplete such second revolution thereof,) uplifts the punch pin 33, andthus frees the packet so that it may be removed when the operatoruplifts said door I? from the position shown in Fig. III to the positionshown in Fig. II.

When the operator terminates the dispensing operation, which operationactuates the gallonage printing wheels H5, IE5, by said shaft III;farther accurate turning movement of said shaft III to aline theadvanced type on the tenths wheel I55 in proper printing position,regardless of where it is left by termination of the dispensingoperation, is effected by the ratchet wheel I56 and pawl I62 shown inFigs. V and VIII, as said handle I38 is manually turned. As shown inFig. V said pawl I62 is thrust down, to precisely position the advanceddigit type, by said cam I58, and when the crest I58 of that cam releasessaid pawl ISZ, as shown in Fig. VIII, the upward idle movement of thepawl lever I59 by its spring E55 is limited to less than the space ofone tooth on the ratchet I55, by said lever encountering the stop studI59 which is fixed on the frame plate I I2; thus limiting thatadjustment to less than one tenth gallon.

I'hereupon, the operator inserts by hand the number of gals. deliveredin the space indicated by the pointer 25 in Fig. IX, separates the sheet23 from the packet, and delivers it to the customer as the lattersreceipt. The operator then files the other sheets 24 and 25 among therecords of the seller.

Said arm 59 also carries, loose on the shaft 51, the change gear 255which is rigidly connected with the gear 56 but is turned idly in theposition shown in Fig. Xi. Said gear 63 on the shaft 64 also meshes withthe change gear ZI'i which turns freely on the shaft 253 which isradially adjustable in the slot 2 I 9 of the arm 225 in which it may beadjustably rigidly secured by the nut 22 I. Said arm 228 is split at 223so that it may be clamped by the screw 224 on said bearing 55 on saidframe 52. Said arm 225 also carries, loose on the shaft 2E8, the changegear 225 which is rigidly connected with the gear 2I'I but is turnedidly in the position shown in Fig. XI. However, both arms 59 and 225 maybe loosened and adjusted, counterclockwise, on their respectivebearings, to bring said change gears 2I5 and 225 into mesh with eachother, and move the gear 55 out of mesh with the gear 63, to change theratio of movement of said shaft M by the shaft 55 and meter shaft 45, toeffect the proper movement of the volume registering and printing wheelsaforesaid in accordance with the volume of fluid dispensed through themeter, by which they are actuated.

Although I have illustrated my invention with reference to register andprinting wheels provided with numbers in decimal relation presented uponcylindrical surfaces; it is to be understood that the numbers may haveany other convenient relation in accordance with the quantities theyindicate and may be presented upon surfaces which are flat or otherwiseshaped.

Therefore, I do not desire to limit myself to the precise details ofconstruction and arrangement herein set forth, as it is obvious thatvarious modifications may be made therein without departing from theessential features of my invention, as defined in the appended claims.

I claim:

1. In apparatus having an element driven by successive operations; aserial numbering device; and means for operating said numbering device,to advance said device one digit after each operation; detent meanscapable of rendering said means for operating said numbering devicenormally inoperative; and means operatively connecting said drivenelement with said detent for releasing the latter only upon initiationof each operation of said driven element; whereby operation of saidnumbering device is limited to one digit advance between successiveoperations of said driven element.

2. Apparatus as in claim 1; including printing means for recording theserial number of the operation effecting such release, and wherein saidmeans for advancing the numbering device includes a handle, the movementof which also operates said recording means.

3. The combination with, a drivable element; of a serial numberingdevice; a manually actuated cam; actuating means for said serialnumbering device biased to unoperated position, and operable by saidcam; a complete gear drivable by said element; a sectoral gear normallyout of engagement with said complete gear, mounted on said actuatingmeans; means, responsive to operation of said actuating means by saidcam, for bringing and maintaining the sectoral gear in geared relationwith said complete gear, to hold the actuating means in operatedposition; said complete gear, upon being driven by said element,

driving said sectoral gear cut of geared relation to release saidactuating means.

4. The combination with a drivable element; a manually actuated cam;actuating means for said serial numbering device biased to unoperatedposition, and operable by said cam; of a serial numbering device; acomplete gear drivable by said element, a sectoral gear, normally out ofengagement with said complete gear, mounted on said actuating means; aspring for stressing said sectoral gear toward said complete gear; andmeans, including said spring, responsive to operation of said actuatingmeans by said cam, for bringing and maintaining the sectoral gear ingeared relation with said complete gear, to hold the actuating means inoperated position; said complete gear, upon being driven by saidelement, driving said sectoral gear out of geared relation to releasesaid actuating means.

5. The combination with a drivable element; of a serial numberingdevice; a manually actuated cam; actuating means for said serialnumbering device biased to unoperated position, and operable by saidcam; a complete gear drivable by said element, a sectoral gear, pivotedon said actuating means and normally out of engagement with saidcomplete gear; and means, including a spring connecting said actuatingmeans with said sectoral gear, responsive to operation of said actua ingmeans by said cam, for driving and maintaining the sectoral gear ingeared relation with said complete gear, to hold the actuating means inoperated position; said complete gear, upon being driven by saidelement, driving said sectoral gear out of geared relation to releasesaid actuating means.

CARLTON L. MCMULLEN.

